The motion, which required a two-thirds vote to pass, was clearly defeated Wednesday, said Planning Coordinator Mary Chaves.

"There were several tenant groups there. A few of them were for the development, but there was a very active group against it," said Chaves.

Hartford Village was built between 2000 and 2001 on Village Lane off Hartford Avenue and is reserved for people who are at least 55 years old.

The Planning Board voted not to recommend the concept plan in April, because it was too vague. "The people who live there already were concerned about (unresolved) problems that exist in their own condos," said Chaves.

The town's bylaws say if a developer wants to build more than 50 units on one parcel Hartford Village would offer 66 with the new plan Town Meeting must give its stamp of approval.

"The tenants are also concerned about their own property values. If they build new and improved units how are they going to market theirs?" said Chaves.

High Street was designated a scenic road Wednesday night by a majority vote - meaning all historic trees and stone walls removed from the street must be replaced in like and kind.

"(Wednesday night) clearly was a victory for the town of Bellingham as a whole," said petitioner Jim Dunlea.

"A town that doesn't take the steps to preserve its charm and appeal loses its position in the marketplace," said Dunlea.

The Finance Committee and Department of Public Works did not recommend the article, because they were concerned about costs, said Dunlea.

"The initial concern was the cost associated with taking down those stone walls and trees and putting them back up," said Chaves.

"The town agreed with me that value trumps cost almost always," said Dunlea.